I am a future Coastie and I had several questions but lets just start with the most important. I really want to work on a small boat station or a Cutter. My dream is to work in the Coast Guard as an ME and I am aware of the waiting period for A school. My question is which one would be more beneficial for me in regards to law enforcement and what are my odds of obtaining one of these units right after boot camp. I know about the Dream Sheet but I also know you never get what you want on that sheet. I dont care where they send me i just want to be able to work on a small boat station or a cutter.

CoochTrusted MemberModeratorPosts:5304

24 Sep 2012 05:39 PM

Either are beneficial. Sea time is more beneficial overall (in my opinion), because of the life experience you get from it. FYI, I got my first pick when I filled out my dream sheet in basic training, and I've never gotten below my third choice through my whole career.

You can meet the standard, or you can set the standard. It's your choice.

GearsTrusted MemberModeratorPosts:6878

25 Sep 2012 12:07 PM

I also know you never get what you want on that sheet.

I've always gotten something on my dreamsheet. You may want to check your facts. You can request to go to a unit to gain LE experience the Detailers will do their best to get you there.

“I’m not in this world to live up to your expectations and you’re not in this world to live up to mine.”
― Bruce Lee

TheBigC1234Basic MemberPosts:252

30 Sep 2012 08:43 AM

Remember cutter doesn't always mean LE. But I'd say chances are good of getting one of the two rather than land (sector/admin) unit. Even then you can always go TAD and work for a cutter or station to get some experience. I put on my boot dream sheet cutter or station that does LE. I got a black hull that stays in the river.

It's Hammer Time!!

CoochTrusted MemberModeratorPosts:5304

30 Sep 2012 09:46 AM

MLE is only one of our eleven missions that we are charged with from Congress. We need people to perform all of those missions equally.

You can meet the standard, or you can set the standard. It's your choice.

BellsTrusted MemberVeteran MemberPosts:3452

30 Sep 2012 12:10 PM

I think cutters are great first units. They build alot of character and like Cooch said you get some sea time. The comradery at a cutter too is unbeatable.

I am a little biased, and will be going for another cutter (one that doesn't travel to the arctic). I want the cuttermans pin and stay competitive for the SWE as far as seatime (the average BM2 has 7 years of sea time) for when to make First. After this one I definately need to go to land because I will have no station experience.

But for you, and for all nonrates, I recommend a cutter. Its tough work but it really takes you out of comfort zone and my friends that were at stations for their first tour wished they were underway (and the ones that were underway wish they were on land), but its all perspective.

Take what you like and leave the rest behind.

CoochTrusted MemberModeratorPosts:5304

30 Sep 2012 12:37 PM

On the May SWE, the average BM2 competing for advancement had 3.65 sea points, which amounts to less than 2 years of sea time.

You can meet the standard, or you can set the standard. It's your choice.

Old Guard2Moderator / Trusted MemberForum Supreme!Posts:14282

01 Oct 2012 05:50 AM

When Colin finishes his tour on the Midgett his cutterman's pin will be permanent. That is something he is very proud of, something his dad will never have. He just wanted something his father can't get. Plus he loves being on a ship. I think going to a sector someday is going to be tough for him.

Sector NY, Staten Island

gregster2185New MemberPosts:5

13 Oct 2012 01:13 AM

i have been on a 87' PB foe the past 7months most of what we do is LE related. highly recomend

magmam1New MemberPosts:24

13 Oct 2012 08:25 AM

ok what is the cuttermans pin? Every time I think I have a handle on this stuff something new comes my way!

CoochTrusted MemberModeratorPosts:5304

13 Oct 2012 08:28 AM

It's a pin that is earned through 5 years of sea time.

You can meet the standard, or you can set the standard. It's your choice.

judoka64Basic MemberPosts:160

13 Oct 2012 08:23 PM

Old Guard- my cousins husband is on the Midgett right now. He is an AST stationed in Kodiak. Sounds like a good cutter, but he hates being on cutters.

Old Guard2Moderator / Trusted MemberForum Supreme!Posts:14282

13 Oct 2012 08:27 PM

Colin loves being underway. I hope your cousins huband has a good trip aboard the boat... and he gets back to dry land where he is happy soon!

Sector NY, Staten Island

BgcntryNew MemberPosts:18

17 Oct 2012 10:12 PM

I have been on 2 378's and one 225 and have LOVED all three ships and the experience that came with them....unfortunately I would give anything to do one more tour on a ship and as you go up, those chance go down...thank goodness the new NSC's have Senior chiefs LOL.

Senior Chief Operations Sepcialist, USCGC Stratton

rfail1988Basic MemberPosts:261

19 Oct 2012 10:22 AM

One little piece of advice... if you want to go ME, there aren't a whole lot of ME's assigned to cutters. I think there are some on the big ones, but it's nowhere nearly as common as seeing FS'es on a cutter :-P anyway, what I'm saying is that if you want to go ME, try to get on a cutter out of boot camp. You're slightly more likely get that too if you ask for it, mainly because most people seem to ask for small boat stations on their dream sheets (at least thats how it was for my company). because really, who wants to be away from their families?

MasterGuns2077Basic MemberPosts:425

22 Oct 2012 07:46 AM

The smaller the unit the better. If you do get a big boat and you decide to stick with ME, you could be there long enough to get your BTM qual. If you go to a small station, or to a small cutter, your shot of getting an LE qual is better. Also, you can do LE in many rates. BM, MK, FS, SK, almost every rate has a shot at doing LE, especially afloat. I love getting underway and doing SAR, driving the small boat, etc, but I also want to do LE, so BM is the rate for me. Just saying to keep your mind open, both in Basic and at your first unit. Most of the people I went to basic with changed their minds about their careers based on their first units. Just goes to show, you can't know until you've tried.

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